TV coupons a deal you can’t turn down

Saturday

Have you seen the ads telling you to get your digital television converter box coupons and said, “What?” You’re not alone.

Have you seen the ads telling you to get your digital television converter box coupons and said, “What?”

You’re not alone, although 3.5 million consumers had requested the coupons by Jan. 18, according to Bart Forbes, spokesman for the U.S. Department of Commerce. The department is administering the coupon program through its National Telecommunications and Information Administration.

Why might you need a coupon?

Because at midnight on Feb. 17, 2009, all full-power TV stations in the United States will stop broadcasting in analog and switch to digital broadcasting. Digital is supposed to provide a clearer picture and more programming options, in addition to freeing up airwaves for emergency responders.

Most people have analog TV sets, which cannot receive digital transmissions. But the only TVs that will be affected in February 2009 are those connected to an antenna or rabbit ears for reception. If you have cable or satellite service, your digital signal will be “down-converted” to analog.

The coupons are for the antenna and rabbit ears people. Every household in the country can apply for two $40 coupons that will go toward the price of a digital converter box, so analog televisions connected to antennas will get a digital signal converted into analog.

Even though the coupon program started Jan. 1, nobody has received a coupon, Forbes said. That’s because most of the more than 200 retailers who are committed to carrying the boxes don’t have them yet.

“We want to make sure the boxes are on the store shelves,” he said.

That’s because Congress mandated that the coupons are good for only 90 days. When you receive coupons, you’ll also receive a list of nearby retailers who have the boxes for sale. Forbes said prices range from $39.99 to about $70 for eligible converters. The pricing depends on the manufacturer and retailer.

Cable and satellite providers already are converting signals, and will continue to do so after February 2009.

How to get your coupons

From now until March 31, 2009, you can request a coupon in one of four ways:

- Apply online at www.dtv2009.gov. (The Web site also has a wealth of information about the program.)